Undergraduate Research Opportunities (on Campus)
A variety of research experiences are available for undergraduates at the University of Maryland. Students with an interest in performing research, either independently or in conjunction with faculty and graduate students, should contact the person identified below or the Undergraduate Astronomy Advisor, Grace Deming. Other astronomy opportunities may be available through the Maryland Student Researchers program.
Center for Theory and Computation
The Maryland Astronomy Center for Theory and Computation promotes excellence and innovation in theoretical astrophysics. Besides pursuing cutting-edge research in astrophysics, there is an emphasis on developing state-of-the-art computational tools. For more information contact Dr. Cole Miller.
Lab for Millimeter-Wave Astronomy
The Laboratory for Millimeter-Wave Astronomy in the Astronomy Department studies the interstellar medium, star formation in our galaxies and other galaxies, and the formation and evolution of galaxies through the millimeter wavelength radio emission from molecular gas and dust. The Lab is the Maryland arm of our partnership in the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy (CARMA). CARMA operates an array near Bishop, California, which is the largest array of its kind in the U.S. The lab is an active research environment involving professors, research scientists, graduate students and undergraduates. If you are interested in doing science and/or instrumentation work with us, look at our research page and the CARMA website. Please contact Dr. Lee Mundy for information about current opportunities.
Extragalactic Astronomy Group
The Maryland Extragalactic Observational Group utilizes optical, radio, and X-ray astronomy in an attempt to understand the origin, dynamics, and evolution of galaxies. Areas of faculty interest include Seyfert galaxies, low surface brightness galaxies, galaxy formation, black hole driven activity in galaxies, and starbursts in galaxies. For more information, contact Dr. Stacy McGaugh.
Planetary Astronomy Group
The Maryland Planetary Group seeks to understand the origin and evolution of the Solar System. Current projects include analysis of data from NASA's Deep Impact mission that collided with comet Tempel 1 in July, 2005, EPOXI (an extension of the Deep Impact mission to comet Hartley 2), the Dawn mission to asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres, Messenger's mission to Mercury, the Small Bodies Node of the Planetary Data Systems (an archive of solar system data), and dynamic modeling using cutting-edge parallel processing technology. For more information, contact Dr. Doug Hamilton.
Space and Plasma Physics Group
The Maryland Plasma Physics Group studies plasmas in space and in the laboratory. Interests include solar-terrestrial effects, high altitude lightning, magnetospheres and ionospheres of other planets and comets, solar radio bursts, and shocks in supernovae. For more information, contact Dr. Surja Sharma.
Astronomy Workshop
Students with PERL and/or java programming experience are needed for the Astronomy Workshop project (the development of web based tools to facilitate undergraduate astronomy education). For more information, contact Dr. Doug Hamilton.
Off-Campus Research Opportunities
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Many summer opportunities exist for undergraduates in astronomy, physics, and engineering. The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. Students are paired with mentors to pursue 10-12 week research projects during the summer. Participants are selected on a competitive basis and groups of 6-10 students are chosen for each site. In addition to a stipend, some include housing and a roundtrip airline ticket. For more information, see NSF's list of institutions with active REU programs. Applications are usually due in January or February.
NASA
Dozens of internships are available at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD, during the summer and school year. See NASA's Internship, Fellowship, and Scholarship search page to look for opportunities for U.S. citizens. (There is a separate webpage with opportunities for non-U.S. citizens.) Sometimes, a successful summer experience leads to continued employment during the academic year. These applications are typically due at the beginning of March. There is also a list of astrophysics researchers at GSFC who are in continuous need of student workers. Finally, the CRESST partnership between GSFC, UMD, and other institutions has summer internships at GSFC, with a deadline in early February.
The History Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC has an internship program with an application deadline in March.
NASA's Undergraduate Student Research Project offers programs during the summer to juniors and seniors. Summer centers offer stipends and a roundtrip airline ticket. Financial assistance may be provided at high-cost NASA regional centers. Some locations, including Goddard Space Flight Center, also offer the program during academic semesters, so it is possible to participate while taking classes. Applications for the summer are due in late January.
See NASA's Student Programs webpage for other NASA-related opportunities.
U.S. Naval Observatory
The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) offers paid and volunteer summer internships. The deadline for application is usually early February.
Carnegie Institution of Washington
The Geophysical Lab and Dept. of Terrestrial Magnetism offer summer internships. The deadline for application is usually late February.
National Air and Space Museum
NASM offers paid internships during the summer (typical deadline mid-Feb.) and during the academic year. Options include an astronomy education internship with a strong public outreach component.
General Information
Dr. Cornelia Lang's website compiles nationwide astronomy and physics intern opportunities and gives very useful tips.
The AstroBetter wiki compiles national and international astronomy internships, workshops, and summer schools.
Honors Research Projects
Past Undergraduate Honors Research Projects: This PDF document lists the research projects that Astronomy undergraduates have worked on in previous years.
